Ontario taking month long pause on easing virus restrictions

DAN CEARNS, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, for The Standard

NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government has put on hold any further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, as cases in the province are starting to spike again. At a press conference, on Tuesday, September 8th, Health Minister Christine Elliott announced the provincial government “will be taking a pause of four weeks” before considering any restriction loosening measures or further reopenings. “The latest trends in numbers have raised some concern, especially as we begin to reopen schools and post-secondary institutions,” the Minister stated. The health minister stressed this pause is important. “We do need to ensure the progress we’ve made is not lost. Taking a pause in further reopening at this time will help us to avoid returning to broad scale closures and shutdowns,” Minister Elliott said.